The First Book You Should Read in 2016

Jay Hawkins wrote a great book.

If you want to find out what you are truly passionate about, get this book. 

If you don't want to waste your life, get this book. 

If you need a great recommendation for your 2016 reading list, get this book. 

If the name Jay Hawkins sounds familiar to you, it's because he's the local operator of the Chick-fil-A in Waynesboro. I've been a journalist for over a decade, but when I met Jay, he was the one asking the questions. 

And Jay asked great questions. 

Questions that forced me to ponder answers for hours. 

When he first told me he was writing a book, I was a bit  nervous. By this point in our relationship, I knew Jay had a brilliant mind. But what if his writing genius didn't quite match his business genius? That would be a weird conversation to have in the beginning of a friendship. 

Fortunately, that wasn't the case. 

The Pando Principle is a really good quick read. I've read it twice, and I purchased one for my boss and another for my best friend. 

The book follows a man named Charlie Burns as he watches his father struggle with the idea of retirement. Charlie begins asking himself if he will follow the same path - work a job he didn't love until he was retirement age - or find a different option.

With help from the least likeliest of sources, Charlie starts on a journey. Everything Charlie learns on his journey is sure to help you on your own personal journey. 

If you get The Pando Principle, let me know. I would love to have a book discussion with a group of people who have read the book. There are also resources at thepandoprinciple.com that will help you process what you read. 

I write these blogs as conversation starters. What books are on your 2016 reading list? What is something in your life you want to change in 2016? 

Blogger's note: This was an unsolicited book review. I purchased the book myself, and I did not receive any financial compensation for this review.

Chris Lassiter is a Christ-follower, a husband to Emily (read her blog here), a father to five kids and a freelance writer for Young Life Relationships, HipHopDX.com, JamTheHype.com and other publications. His first book, You're Grounded, was published by Moody Publications in 2013. You can order the book here.  His first kids' book, Grits & the Grimels, comes out this spring. 

Bahamas Update: The 12-Day Countdown

Our kids working on homemade thank you cards !!!! 

Just 12 days out, here are 10 facts about our Bahamas trip. 

10. Our youngest kids' passport came in the mail yesterday! That was (almost) the last big barrier to being fully ready to go. 

9. This is actually my second trip to the Bahamas. I went in 1996 as member of the Shenandoah University men's basketball team. (For those of you that know Jeremy Hartman or Mandrel Stuart, can you find them in this picture collage?) 

8. Waynesboro Chick Fil-A helped us with a big fundraiser. Our five kids were also unofficial  Chick Fil-A workers for the day. It was cool to see them putting in effort toward their trip. 

7. THIS IS NOT A LASSITER FAMILY VACATION!  We're actually going to serve with the ministry of Young Life in the Bahamas.  Lee Corder, who heads up Young Life mission work on the Western Hemisphere, sent me this encouraging e-mail as we prepared for our trip! 

"This often comes up around our Caribbean work. Just remind people that we don't drive from airport to resort, we stop before the resort in small towns and villages with all the same issues of poor nations everywhere.

Where you're going is poverty, despair & hopelessness all covered by a sunny climate. The descendants of West Indies slaves live in a world of licentiousness, religious bondage and superstition where the good news of Jesus' deliverance and freedom are desperately needed. Your willingness to serve is profound and crucial for our dear kids there."

6. I will be the camp speaker. I know from a distance most people only see the Photoshopped, cleaned-up verison of me, but I know I'm a mess. (I've got hang-ups like dial tones!) I'm thankful that God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines, and that He specializes in accomplishing His purposes through broken people.  P.S. Here's one of my favorite sermons on that very topic. 

5.  Father's Day really made me think long and hard about the legacy I want to leave my kids. I'm so glad they are coming with us this year. 

4. In the past few years, I've been to Uganda, Bermuda and Hawaii as well. The truth is, however, I don't really need to travel. I'm pretty much like Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit. 

3. I'm a big picture person, but horrible with details. This trip would never happen without my wife! 

2. So many family members, friends, churches and ministries have come together to make this trip a reality for us financially. We could never say thanks enough! 

1. We still have a ways to go financially and 12 days to get there.  You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking on this link:  Thanks everyone. Every penny helps!